A Twitter User Trolled Misty Copeland, and the Internet was NOT Having It!

What do you get when a Twitter troll takes on one of the most talented and respected ballerinas in the world? Well, we have the very answer right here!

Feature photo by American Ballet Theatre

Misty Copeland – regarded for becoming the first African American woman to be promoted to principal dancer in the American Ballet Theatre’s 75-year history – caught our attention on Instagram this morning when she posted a screenshot of a Twitter user who wrote,

“THIS is why @mistyonpointe is the WORST and why it’s an embarrassment to @ABTBallet to even have her on the roster, much less as a principal dancer. No wonder the rest of the world thinks American ballet is a joke.”

The comment was in response to a YouTube clip of Copeland performing fouetté turns in Swan Lake with the title, “Misty Copeland Swan Lake Fouetté Fail.”

Never one to shy away from making a bold statement, Copeland spoke her mind openly and authentically in a comment under the video soon after, which she also shared on social media. In her statement regarding the issue, Copeland said,

“I’m happy this has been shared because I will forever be a work in progress and will never stop learning. I learn from seeing myself on film and rarely get to. So thank you… All I’ve ever wanted is to bring ballet to more people and to help to diversify it… A ballerina’s career is not, nor should be defined by how many fouettés she executes… I do appreciate the changes in the ballet technique, focused on evolving our technical abilities, but the point is to move people and for them to understand the stories we tell through dance. And that is an incredible responsibility and opportunity I will never take for granted.”

And while some weighed in with negative comments, the Instagram faithful showed up in force to tell Misty, “we’re here for you!”

“You are a class act and a beautiful credit to the art of ballet,” wrote one user.

“Such grace and class. You will forever be an idol for me and the world of Ballet,” wrote another.

Even celebrities began to chime in, showing their support for the famed ballerina!

It’s worth noting that the account for said troll no longer shows up via a search on Twitter. The moral of the story? Don’t mess with Misty – she’s a national treasure. We got your back, Misty! Keep doing you and inspiring the world.

We love you, and thank you for gracing the November 2014 cover of Inside Dance!

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